Manila Bulletin

Pagunsan, Avaricio ready for challenge

GEN. TRIAS,

Cavite — The forecast of rains notwithstanding, the men of the Philippine Golf Tour look to pound the Aoki course and provide some stellar play given their form and class as the ICTSI Eagle Ridge at Aoki Invitational unfolds today here.

And there couldn’t be a more fitting opener to what promises to be a slam-bang week than pitting the two Japan Tour campaigners making their Tour return and the recent champion out to make it two-in-row after hacking out a playoff win over a fancied rival at Splendido Taal.

Juvic Pagunsan, Angelo Que and Dutch Guido Van der Valk slug it out at 8:30 a.m. on the first hole of the Isao Aoki-designed layout, one of the championship courses inside the expansive golf complex, each looking for a strong start and the momentum needed in a title chase tipped to go down-to-the-last shot or putt.

Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club general manager Antonio Ocampo said that while the par-72 course has been prepared and set up to challenge the country’s leading pros’ skills and wits, including its last line of defense, he expects low scoring in all four days of the ₱2 million championship.

“Rain is forecasted for the week. We expect excellent low scores because of the caliber of these pros,” said Ocampo.

Meanwhile in the women's play, Chanelle Avaricio sets out for another title crack with a form that continues to get better over time, poised to reassert her mastery over a field she had dominated the last time out.

With Princess Superal opting to strike out her name in the roster for a much-needed rest following a grueling campaign in Thailand LPGA, Avaricio faces practically the same set of rivals she trounced on her way to posting an imposing six-stroke triumph in the Pradera Verde Ladies Classic last month.

Sports

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2022-07-05T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-07-05T07:00:00.0000000Z

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